Northside labourer seeks changes to Community Service policies

Chris Royal, right, holds up a placard, as Chris and Barisley Bonnar of North Sydney sign his petition seeking changes to the Department of Community Services policies regarding income assistance.

NORTH SYDNEY, N.S. - It was hard to miss Chris Royal as he stood on the sidewalk next to the Nova Scotia Department of Community Service North Sydney district office Monday morning.

Royal was asking passersby to sign a petition and join his fight for changes to the Department of Community Services policies regarding social assistance.

“I’m trying to raise awareness on the need for a change to the rates for income assistance, because clearly it’s not enough,” said Royal. “This is my first month on social assistance. I had a hard time this year and I figured I could get some help until I could get work, or get a call to go back out west.”

Royal said his first cheque was for $575.

“When I went in (to Community Services) they knew my situation. My rent is currently $600. What they gave me amounts to $300 for rent and $275 for extras. It just isn’t enough to live on, rent and the cost of food keep going up,” he said. “Financial distress is a big problem in people’s lives. Yes, the system is there to assist and people have received help, but some are still going hungry.

“I’m far from ashamed, I’m grateful, but it’s simply not enough to live on.”

Royal, who has worked for 20 years as a labourer, spent the past nine years travelling back and forth to work in western Canada.

He said he began working on the wording of his petition two and a half weeks ago.

“The staff (of Community Services) are respectful when you go in, they are great people. But if they can’t give you any more because of the policies, then it’s time for the policies to change,” he said. “It isn’t just about me. I went door to door and people know and can relate to the struggle.

“Mind you it’s been 20 years since I really struggled, but I’m willing to put the time in to try and make a difference. I’m far from ashamed, I plan to keep going.”

He plans to continue to collect names outside the Community Services North Sydney office until Friday, and will be at the North Sydney Food Bank today.

“I’ll eventually take my petition to the Sydney area. My goal is to get at least 500 names or more. I know it’s a big movement and it’s going to take time.”

As of Monday morning he had 75 names.

“There has been way too many people affected by this and I felt it was time for me to do something. I don’t mind standing out in the cold, I’ll sacrifice as long as I get signatures.”

He plans to send his petition to provincial Minister of Community Services Joanne Bernard, along with copies to department officials and elected representatives at all levels.

“I’ll even send it to the prime minister, if they don’t get back to me, I’ll keeping sending it. We need changes so at least people can live and eat.”